Austin firefighter stabbed while putting out fires off I-35; injuries not life-threatening

A man stabbed a firefighter who was putting out fires along Interstate 35 in South Austin on Monday morning, the Austin Fire Department said.

Shift commander Eddie Martinez said the man accused of starting the fires walked onto I-35 near the Riverside Drive exit, and firefighters attempted to remove him from the highway. The man became agitated and then stabbed the firefighter, Martinez said.

Martinez said the firefighter was taken to the hospital, but his injuries were not life-threatening and he was later released.

Police took the man accused of stabbing the firefighter into custody.

Lanes on I-35 near the incident were temporarily closed, but all lanes had reopened by 5:45 a.m.

Martinez said no further information on the incident was available.